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Salt Water Swimming Pools

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Swimming Pool Chemistry



Salt water swimming pools could be your answer if you're in the market for a pool. Normal pool chemistry is required, just like regular pools, to have the best swimming pool care.

You use the same water testing kit or strips and add pool chemicals when your swimming pool demands it.

Many people who have fiberglass inground pools like this kind of system.

Also, a good salt chlorine generator chlorine generator can give you a choice when it comes to chlorinating your pool. Many people have opted for saltwater pools (sometimes knows as saline pools) over their cousins, a normal chlorine pool.

A salt water swimming pool is just as it implies, adding salt to your pool to make pool chlorine by installing a chlorine generator.

Chlorine generators (both in-line and free standing) have become popular because it lessens the need to buy, transport, or store liquid or dry pool chlorine.

There is an alternative to installing an in-line salt chlorine generator and adding large amounts of salt directly a salt water pool.

Free-standing salt chlorine generators are gaining in popularity. You actually add a small amount of salt into the chlorine generator that uses this salt to produce chlorine, and that chlorinated water is then returned back into the pool.

Some salt chlorine chlorinators may also measure out the proper amounts of acid and Sodium Bicarbonate to keep your pH and alkalinity in balance.

But be advised: A salt water swimming pool IS NOT a chlorine-free pool. Salt water systems simply takes the salt and produces chlorine.

At the YMCA where I'm the pool operator, we have a salt water system. Members have mentioned the softness of the water and they do feel more refreshed after swimming in this kind of pool.


Salt Water Pools Produce Chlorine:

  • Add salt to your pool. For an average 20,000 gallon pool you will need 7-10 50lb. bags to bring your saline level to the correct reading of 3000-4000.
  • The saline (salted water) is then carried through the plumbing to the salt chlorinating cell
  • The chlorine generator produces swimming pool chlorine (Hypochlorous acid)
  • This chlorinated water is then returned to the pool for sanitation
  • You'll also need to keep up on your residual chlorine demand testing.


    If you have an interesting story about your salt water pool or a question about your salt water swimming pool you can go here to submit your story.



    Benefits Of Salt Water Swimming Pools

    A safe level of salt to chlorinate a pool is between 3000-4000ppm. At this level the salt in the pool can't really be noticed.

    Once the salt is added to the pool, the salt chlorine generator takes over to produce as much or as little swimming pool chlorine as you require. It has also been reported that the pool water actually feels softer and the swimmers are more refreshed.

  • Comfort Tips
  • Some people will say the comfort level of these kinds of swimming pools is better than regular chlorine pools. And many people say they don't have the itchy, red eyes and burning noses when they swim in a saline pool. Just between you and me, I think alot of that has to do with the improper balance of the pool chemicals.

  • Chemical Tips
  • Another advantage of salt water swimming pools is the low chemical use. This means you won't need to store any chlorine and handle toxic chemicals on a regular basis. You will need to keep pool acid, Sodium Bicarbonate for the pH and total alkalinity, and and calcium chloride for the hardness.

  • Maintenance Tips
  • Salt water swimming pools can be lower maintenance as well. Many salt chlorine generators clean themselves and may require less attention than chlorine swimming pools.

  • Cost Tips
  • Salt water systems are a bit more expensive upfront, but they may pay for themselves in the long run. You'll save money on chlorine because a bag of salt is less expensive than a bucket or gallon of pool chlorine.


    Disadvantages

    While many salt water pool owners swear by their salt pool, there are some issues to consider:

  • A salt chlorine generator still produce pool chlorine and chemicals (Hypochlorous acid)
  • Possibility of damaged equipment and pool filters
  • Possibility of plumbing corrosion
  • Possibility of using just as many other chemicals (pool acid, pool shock, calcium chloride) as a chlorine pool
  • Possible damage to winter and solar pool covers
  • Run the risk of swimming in a pool in which the pool operator does not have the proper knowledge or training on balancing the chemicals and proper pool maintenance
  • When the salt chlorine generator breaks down, it may cost up to or over $2500 for a new unit. This may keep the average pool owner up to his eyes in chlorine for a normal chlorine swimming pool for over 12 years.
  • If you have or are planning to have decorative rock (Flagstone) you may want to reconsider. Salt is corrosive and may eat away at your investment.
  • Salt water swimming pools are great and if they're what you're looking for, and if you've done your homework, then I say go for it and have fun swimming.

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